February 2011

With the chaplain having retired some of the members of my congregation as well as several close friends on the outside, have been trying to vigorously persuade me to take on more of a pulpit/pastoral role...

Frankly, being behind the pulpit has little interest for me. I know everyone means well. But in my opinion there are other men in our fellowship whom I know to be fully qualified to teach, preach and expound on the Word of God. These are the Spirit-filled men who love God, and they are called.My role, or at least a big part of it, has always been to encourage my fellow Christians to recognize their gifts, and to put such gifts and talents to regular use.I know the chapel's pulpit doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the Lord. While, sadly, my well-meaning friends who insist on pushing me into taking on even more tasks and responsibilities than I already have, could easily turn my service to the Lord into some kind of performance trap. This would ultimately cause me more harm than good, I believe. And I have seen this same thing happen to other ministers, much to their detriment.God forbid that I should be on a pedestal, thought by others to be some kind of "Super-Christian." Rather my heart's desire is for the body of Christ here at the prison to mature in their faith and increase in the grace and knowledge of God so that genuine godly leaders can come forth.I suppose I could say that if I'm to be in any kind of leadership position, I would rather do it from the rear. It indeed suits me well to be behind the scenes as much as is possible. I only wish, however, that the ones who've been trying to push me into the pulpit, or who keep trying to find more things for me to do in the church, would ease up in their endeavors and simply allow the Lord to have me to what He wants with me. I guess today I'm venting...D.B.